Did you know?
Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel. Mac users, look for energy saving settings under system preferences in the apple menu.

Note: Screen savers do not save energy. Originally, screen savers were designed to prevent screens from being burnt by a constant image, but they are not needed for modern screens.

How can I tell if my computer is enabled for power management?
Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch. When you're finished for the day, shut down.

Did you know?
Shutting down all computers and monitors when they are not in use can save energy. If your computer must be left on after-hours, turn off the monitor. This will not affect the programs you are working on. Monitors consume between 35 - 75% (LCD vs. CRT) of the total energy required to run a computer

Did you know?
You can save a significant amount of energy by ensuring your monitors, printers, and other accessories are on a smart power strip. Smart power strips include surge protection, noise filtering and, most importantly, a microprocessor capable of turning off all the peripheral devices when the main device is turned off. So, when you turn off your PC, it can shut down your speakers, printer and other extras automatically so you don’t have to.

Did you know?
The Wake-on-LAN option allows the computer to power up when the modem receives a wake up signal. This energy-efficient feature allows you to turn your computer off and receive updates whenever required. To be able to use Wake-On-LAN, your PC must provide Wake-On-LAN support. Wake-on-LAN support is implemented on the motherboard of a computer and the network interface, and as such, is not dependent on the operating system running on the hardware.

How do you turn on the Wake-on-LAN feature?
The Wake-on-LAN option can be set-up differently depending on the make and model of your PC. Please, refer to your PC documentation for details about your specific PC and set-up

Did you know?
Phantom power, also called vampire power, refers to the electric power consumed by electronic appliances while they are switched off or in a standby mode. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.

Did you know?
Refrigerators and freezers should be installed away from heat sources (such as stove, dishwasher, radiator, heating conductor, direct sunlight, etc…) to prevent them from working harder to keep the inside cool. Leave a few inches of space behind the refrigerator to ensure proper air circulation around the condenser coils, and vacuum the coils at least once a year.

Note: Open the door as little as possible to minimize the amount of cold air that escapes.

Did you know?
Overfilling your kettle is a waste of energy, water, money, and time! If you are making a hot drink, fill the kettle with only as much water as you need. Many kettles today now come with double chambers that ensure you measure out exactly how much water you want to boil.

Did you know?
EnerGuide is a Government of Canada initiative that rates energy consumption and efficiency of household appliances, heating and ventilation equipment, air conditioners and vehicles. Administered by the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) of Natural Resources Canada, EnerGuide helps Canadian consumers make the most energy-efficient choices when they are ready to buy.

While Canada’s EnerGuide label enables you to compare the energy consumption of various appliances, the ENERGY STAR symbol displayed alone or as part of the EnerGuide label, helps identify those that are the most energy efficient in their class.

How to read the EnerGuide label


- The large number is an appliance’s estimated annual energy consumption, which is measured in kWh per year.

- The shaded bar scale displays the energy-consumption range for appliance models of this type and size. The figure at the left end of the scale indicates the lowest energy-consumption rating; the figure on the right indicates the highest rating.

- An arrow just above the bar scale shows where the appliance ranks relative to similar models.

How to read the ENERGY STAR Symbol
Products that have been tested according to prescribed procedures and have been found to meet or exceed higher energy efficiency levels without compromising performance will display the ENERGY STAR symbol. For instance, to be ENERGY STAR qualified, standard-size refrigerators must exceed Government of Canada minimum regulated energy efficiency levels by at least 20 %.

Did you know?
Today’s refrigerators are much better energy performers than older models. Superior design, more efficient compressors and better insulation and door seals all help improve energy efficiency.

When should you be thinking of shopping for an ENERGY STAR qualified appliance?
In some cases, you will find that energy-efficient products can have a higher sticker price. One way to look at it is to calculate the second price tag.

Example: In 1984, top-mounted refrigerators (16.5-18.4 cu. Ft.) consumed 1,457 kWh per year, whereas an equivalent model meeting the current ENERGY STAR specification (2008) consumes only 388 kWh per year Annual electrical consumption for 1984 fridge = 1,457 kWh per year x $0.10 per kWh = $145.70 Annual electrical consumption for ENERGY STAR (2008) fridge = 388 kWh per year x $0.10 per kWh = $38.80

Replacing the old unit with a modern ENERGY STAR (2008) fridge would save $106.90 ($145.70 - $38.80) in annual operating expense, and with average life expectancy for refrigerators at 17 years, those savings add up!

Did you know?
Daylight is by far the best light source. It’s free, sustainable and increases wellbeing and productivity. Some buildings are not well designed to catch sunlight. By making the most of the daylight that is available, you are likely to achieve some energy savings and create a more comfortable and healthy work environment.

Did you know?
For many situations, the combination of a photocell and time clock is the most energy efficient choice where outdoor lighting is required for only part of the night; the photocell will automatically turn a light on when natural light levels are low while the time clock will turn lights off at a preset time. We suggest you consult with an electrician or lighting designer for more details.

Did you know?
Light fixtures should be cleaned regularly. Instead of adding light to a room, simply clean the existing light fixtures and bulbs, then assess if it meets your needs. Dirt on light fixtures reduces the amount of light provided. Light fixtures with open tops allow air currents to move dust up through the fixture so dust and dirt do not accumulate on the fixture.

If you do it yourself, be sure to turn off the switches or seek the help of a professional!

Did you know?
Turning off lights that aren’t being used is a simple and effective way to save energy. Turn off lights wherever there is adequate natural light, whenever you leave a room and in unoccupied rooms.

Did you know?
Another way to minimize after-hours lighting is by scheduling maintenance and office cleaning during the office work hours. Clean during daylight hours to take advantage of natural light! If it can’t be scheduled during office hours, ensure office cleaning staff are using lighting wisely!

Did you know?
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) use about 75% less energy than regular incandescent bulbs to deliver the same amount of light. Less than 10% of the energy consumed by regular light bulbs is used for lighting. The remaining 90% is wasted in the form of heat.

CFLs come in a variety of shapes and designs as well as different light output levels and colour temperatures, to suit almost any fixture and function. If you replace one 60-watt regular light bulb with a 13-watt ENERGY STAR- qualified CFL, you could save more than $35 over its lifetime. For more information on how to choose CFLs, click here (shape, size, colour etc.)

Did you know?
Occupancy sensors detect the presence or absence of people and turn lights on and off accordingly. Used properly, occupancy sensors can be a cost-effective tool for reducing the operating time and output of lighting systems, cutting energy consumption.

Occupancy sensors are most effective in spaces that are often unoccupied such as some offices, warehouses, storerooms, restrooms, corridors, stairwells, office lounges, conference rooms, etc.

Did you know?
Replacing T12 lamps and ballasts with high efficiency T8 can save you energy and money! In some cases, it is an easy upgrade with a significant return on investment.

The High Performance T8 systems have better colour rendering, maintain light output for a longer period of time, have longer lamp lifetimes, and use 15% less energy.

Did you know?
Replacing T12 lamps and ballasts with high efficiency T8 can save you energy and money! In some cases, it is an easy upgrade with a significant return on investment.

The High Performance T8 systems have better colour rendering, maintain light output for a longer period of time, have longer lamp lifetimes, and use 15% less energy.

Did you know?
A thermostat is a fantastic device for regulating the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. Thermostats can save a lot of energy when programmed according to occupancy schedules. During the day, at night, or when the office is closed on weekends, set back the temperature by a few degrees.

Did you know?
Whether heating or cooling a room, keep the doors and windows closed. The air conditioner will have to work harder if doors or windows open when trying to cool the office.

Did you know?
Changing filters regularly provides you with a healthy environment and better heating, ventilation and airconditioning performance.

Did you know?
Changing filters regularly provides you with a healthy environment and better heating, ventilation and air-conditioning performance.

Did you know?
Don’t block radiators! Installing furniture, appliances, and devices in front of your radiators prevents them from warming the room efficiently. Rearranging your office set-up accordingly can save you money!

Did you know?
Heat only the rooms you use! Keep the vents and doors closed in unoccupied the rooms! This will prevent your heating or cooling system from working too hard by heating or cooling only those spaces that are occupied!

NOTE; Be sure to keep spaces with plumbing heated above the freezing point.

Did you know?
There are various ways you can lower hot water consumption: 

- Install low-flow shower head

- Use an ENERGY STAR dishwasher

- Lower the temperature of the water heater

- Repair leaks! One drop per second equals 16 baths a month!

- Provide additional insulation to the water heater

- Automatic washroom tap shut off

Did you know?
The colour of paint used for the office can have an impact on energy efficiency. Darker colours can increase cooling bills in the summer months and increase lighting bills in the winter months. For the most energy efficiency in paint colour, use light colours and pastel shades which have a good inherent solar reflectivity and have a better paint color efficiency than darker colours. Most major paint manufacturers can provide the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of any colour paint chip. White reflects 80% of the light, while black reflects only 5%. Therefore, the higher the LRV number of the paint colour, the less need for artificial light.

Did you know?
Managing the use of electronic equipment, lighting, and office appliances during the summer can help minimize indoor heat generation. Because of that generated heat, the cooling system will need to work harder and further increase energy consumption!

Did you know?
A thermostat is a fantastic device for regulating the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. Thermostats can save a lot of energy when programmed according to occupancy schedules. During the day, at night, or when the office is closed on weekends, set back the temperature by a few degrees.

Did you know?
Areas that may have significant leaks are near the attic, crawlspace, basement and around windows, doors and chimneys. Holes in the building envelope affect heating and cooling costs and contribute to moisture, noise and dust problems. There are simple ways to fix those leaks by sealing gaps, using weatherstripping (on doors and windows), etc.

Did you know?
ENERGY STAR certified windows save you energy and money and can increase the comfort of your office. Energy Star windows provide improved energy efficiency by using a combination of low-emittance coatings (Low-E), inert gas, such as Argon, between the glass panes and an insulated spacer to reduce heat loss at the edge of the glass. The Energy Star website provides information on residential type windows including U and R values and the solar heat gain factor. Most commercial windows do not fall under the Energy Star program but it is important to install windows with the same energy efficient features.

What is Low-E? Low-Emittance (Low-E) Coatings provide a Radiant Barrier Low-E coatings are metal or metallic oxide layers that are microscopically thin and almost invisible to the naked eye. The manufacturer applies them to window and skylight glazing. The end result is a reduction of the window’s U-factor. The U-factor is used to measure heat flow through windows. It is the inverse of the R-Value (1/R Value). There are two categories of coatings which should be taken into account when selecting energy efficient windows. High solar gain glazing is more effective for passive solar heating in winter. Low solar gain glazing is used to reduce passive solar gain which can lead to overheating and increased air conditioning loads.

What is Argon? Argon is an inert gas that makes up about 1% of the air around us. This slow moving gas reduces conduction, thus minimizing the transfer of heat through the space between the panes of a double or triple glazed window unit. It is also used inside incandescent light bulbs to keep oxygen from degrading the tungsten filament.

What is an Insulated Spacer? All double and triple glazed window units have a spacer at the window edges to separate the panes of glass and bind them together. The window edge is the highest heat loss area of the window. Insulated spacers reduce this conductive heat loss and help to improve the overall efficiency of the window unit.